Publikationer

European Union internal security cooperation has flourished in recent years, drawing unprecedented attention from scholars. Yet studies in the field remain predominantly empirical, with only a smattering of disconnected and disparate theoretical frameworks. At this point in the development of the field, the time is right for a volume that surveys established and promising theoretical frameworks, provides a palette of options for explaining a complicated field, and reviews methodological considerations associated with different theories. This volume brings together leading scholars of different theoretical approaches used in the field, thus providing an essential reference text for new and experienced scholars alike while at the same time helping to consolidate theoretical advancements in the field. The book aims to enhance the prospects of cumulative theorizing in this area, to encourage the quality of theorizing and methodology in this area, and to connect this growing empirical area to broader theoretical debates in EU studies.

In the academic debate on the relative powers and influence of the EU institutions, it has become common to suggest - especially in the case of advocates of the 'new intergovernmentalism' - that the European Commission is in decline. In this article we show that while in some limited respects this is indeed the case, the Commission's overall position in the EU system is not one of having become a weaker institutional actor. The extent of the losses of its powers and influence tends to be exaggerated, while in some aspects its powers and influence have actually been strengthened. We show this by focusing on three of the Commission's core functions-agenda-setter, legislative actor and executive-all of which are widely portrayed as being in decline. We incorporate into our analysis both the formal and informal resources available to the Commission in exercising the functions.